Posted on: September 4th, 2024

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the August 12, 2024  Zoom and in person Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Maedke.  Fourteen people attended in person: Dan, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Whitey DeBroux, Pam Leland, Marcus Moench, Member at Large John Hatelid, Mike McNett, Pam Sherman, Bear Carlson, Poppy Copeland, Janos Wilder, Kathy Frey, Jeff Combelic, and Kris Hill.  Thirteen attended by Zoom: Dave Wilson, Treasurer Chrissy Maedke, Val Crist, Joanne Cole, Kathleen Gilgannon, Marybeth Neal, Deb Yeager, Joey Schusler, Jenna Gann, Fire Chief Rich Caudhill, Elisabeth Caspari, Virginia Schultz, and Kelly Veit.  If I missed anyone, please let me know.

Minutes of the June 10 Town Meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Chrissy reported that October is our budget meeting and we will hope to have committee reports and request for funds.  We do not have any incoming funds from the Sunset Run yet. Here is the report as of the day after our meeting

	Starting date: 8/13/24
	Opening Balances		Accounts	Amount
		General	3449	$6,503.56
		Grants	7018	$100.00
		Savings	7000	$3,602.65
		Total Opening Balances:		$10,206.21
General 3449	Income	Transfer fr savings to Community Relief		$1,000.00
		Cemetery Donation		$200.00
		Total
Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Income:		$1,200.00
General 3449	Expenses	Vista Print Merch		$588.28
		Total		$588.28
Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
Savings 7000		Transfer to general for Community Relief		$1,000.00
		Transfer to general for Gold Rush		$2,000.00
		Total		$3,000.00
		Total Expenses:		$3,588.28
	Ending Balances	General	3449	$7,115.28
		Grants	7018	$100.00
		Savings	7000	$14.37
	10/14/24	Total Closing Balances:		$7,229.65

 

 

For current information go to Google Drive.

ELECTIONS – It was decided to begin with the position of Chair. 

         Chair: Dan is willing to serve another term, Bear nominated him, Marcus seconded and he was elected unanimously.

         Vice Chair: Eli Zabielski, our present Vice Chair, declined to run again.  After questioning those in attendance, Mike reported that his partner, Kelly Veit agreed to serve.  All approved, but Dan wanted to speak with her and make sure.  The bylaws state that the council members may appoint someone to serve when there is a vacancy.

         Secretary: Bear nominated Gretchen, Marcus seconded, no one else was willing to run, and she was elected unanimously

         Member at Large: John Hatelid was nominated, nominations were closed with no one else willing, and he was elected unanimously, also.

         Treasurer: Gretchen nominated Chrissy, Pam Sherman seconded, with no further nominations, Chrissy was elected unanimously as well.

NEW FIRE CHIEF – Dan next welcomed Rich Caudill, who thanked everyone for the honor of the position of our new part-time (25% time) Chief, our first paid position in our previously all volunteer department.  He has spent 30 years in the fire service as a firefighter, paramedic, lieutenant, and battalion chief – 25 years with Littleton and then managed South Metro’s 30 stations covering 300 square miles.  He was hired by Gold Hill in mid-June, mentored by acting Chiefs Bret Gibson from Fourmile and Chris O’Brien from Lefthand until August 1 and since then he is our sole Chief.  He lives on the outskirts between Lafayette and Louisville.  He’ll hold office hours typically on Saturdays between 10am and 4:30pm, attend regular trainings in the evenings and work remotely from home some.  Personal information – he has three children, 21, 6, and 2.  When he’s here, his door is always open – shoot him a quick email anytime (rich.caudill5460@nullgmail.com).  Joanne asked about his ability to get here in an emergency, and he will rely on our officers and other chiefs, etc. – we have agreements for automatic aid with Sunshine, Fourmile and Lefthand.  Plus, our Strategic Plan includes increased training of our personnel to manage the initial stages and we have capable trained officers.

         Boyd added that the Board developed the Strategic Plan with lots of input from many partners in emergency services, including Fourmile, Sunshine, and Lefthand.  One major goal is to establish an increased relationship with the Gold Hill community and the rest of the district.  It explains our role in emergency services and how it all fits together.  There are a lot of recruitment opportunities for community members to be involved, both in emergency response and administrative (grant writing, social media management).  Our second priority is Capital Improvement and Maintenance Program which included equipment, apparatus, and our facility – there are lots of challenges in updating it all – there are many new standards for emergency vehicles and we need to update to meet them.  Our Firebarn was built in 1972 for the apparatus available at the time and we have now outgrown it.  Our priorities: update our apparatus and the station, expand our training.  We have a great relationship with the BCFFA (Boulder County Firefighters Association) and a lot of training opportunities through them including the National Incident Commander procedures, managing the initial stages of responding and can offer senior management training as well for the overhead team.

         Chrissy added her thank you to Rich and  that we’re thrilled to have you.  Do you have timelines?  Rich replied we’re looking at our capital and budget to see how and when we can address our needs.  We’re researching apparatus design and ways to update our facilities in active discussions.

         Boyd reported that the Strategic Plan is posted on the Fire Department website – goldhillfire.org – for 12 months, 1-3 years, and 3-5 years.  It is a work in progress and they will look at it in the spring and see how we’re doing and if changes are needed – will revisit it at least once a year.

         Dan added that we’re very lucky to have you.  Rich replied that he’s very honored to be chosen to join Gold Hill.  The commitment and drive of our volunteers is something seen rarely.  He considers himself lucky to be chosen and hopes to serve us well.  He considers communication with the community to be critical.

         Debra added her thank you and welcome.  She raised our concern with traffic and how can someone get through town in an emergency.  Rich replied that we are diving into this issue with the County and are engaged with the business owners in Gold Hill.  We have a good relationship now, are looking at apparatus design, and engaging all partners in solutions.

 

NOISE CONCERNS – Dan reports that many have raised concerns about local businesses and noise.  He wants to approach this by raising ideas, solutions and questions – not complaints focused.  In general, the concerns are too loud and too late.  It’s a growing dynamic that Gold Hill is not prepared for – “fantastic success.”  How do we move forward so we can live our quiet lives in the mountains?  We’re not a legal entity, so our best approach is to make agreements within our community.  The businesses have done a lot of things, but some of it is growing pains and will take time.

         Bear added he’s glad to see Whitey and Mike here – wishes the Finns were involved as well.  Whitey said “I don’t like that noise is a problem.  I live here, too, and care about Gold Hill.”  They have a tool to measure decibels and try to keep bands apprised.  There is a sign “Quiet Time after 10 pm”  Mike added they try to spread people out and turn off the market lights outside at 10.   A timer goes off around every 30 minutes and he walks around and asks people to keep it down.  They’re trying to change the norms, but our area is experiencing crazy population growth and tons of people want to get out of town and up here.  One thing that can happen is a wedding or gathering gets out at the Inn and a whole bunch of partying people came down to the store.

         Janos added that it can be difficult to deal with success that involves a lot more people.  Some suggestions: raising prices and/or having a cover charge could thin out the # of people and mitigate the noise.  Mike added that the music stops at 10.  Janos suggested stopping it at 9 would mean people walking around afterward would be earlier.  Mike said he’d be happier if it was equitable – if the Inn was held to the same standards.  Concerns have also been raised about the late noise from the Inn as well, particularly people on the front porch.  Boyd reported that the historical agreement has been that the Inn shuts down at 11.  He said that when people are noisy in the streets near him, he goes out and talks to them.

         Val asked what about starting earlier and ending earlier.  Marcus said the effect on them is amplified music outside and would like it to be kept acoustic outside.  They want to be able to sit outside at their house and talk to each other.

         Joanne appreciates the quiet time after 10 – suggested considering a hard last call at 9 and glasses picked up at 9:30.  Wants to eliminate the “idiots” out back screaming.  Possibly everybody inside and doors closed at 10?

         Jeffrey cited the Colorado Noise Statute 5-12-103.  Which says that noise in a commercial zone should not exceed 60 db from 7 am to 7 pm and 55db from 7 pm to 7 am.  He really doesn’t get the girls screaming on the front porch.

         Mike said there is never music after 10 inside or 8 outside.  Marcus said he’s a strong supporter of the Pub and Store and questioned the hammer game, and some unsafe behavior outside being engaged in late outdoors in the dark.  They  will cover that.  Mike wants to do good for the community – loves it here and is all in.

         Joanne thought maybe hire a security guard?  She volunteered to fund raise.  Chrissy was impressed that Mike and Whitey came and listened and thanked them for their efforts.  It’s good to have a solutions approach.  The noise is not as much a problem for them as parking and tailgating,  She worries about drunk drivers – what about the bus?  Fundraising to help?

         Whitey is concerned with the parking, too.  Drainage down Main Street needs to be fixed and put the water in back where there’s room and culverts.  Possibly widening the road by the meadow to accommodate diagonal parking?  People in Boulder like the Bus idea, but they don’t want to pay for it and he can’t afford it. 

         Dan closed the discussion by thanking Mike and Whitey.  There are no quick solutions.  We’ve voiced our opinions and been listened to.  We’ll continue this conversation over time and work toward solutions.

FIRE MITIGATION – Dan reports goats will be brought to the meadow this Wednesday.  There will be fences erected on Tuesday and there will be a guard dog.  It’s a significant number of goats and the plan is for them to be here for 2-3 weeks and crop a strip 300’ wide north to south.  Janos recommended signs.

         East Street mitigation will be mostly handwork.  The forester will be walking around with individual homeowners and marking trees.

         There will be some work done on approx. 9 acres on Sheila and Joe’s.  Also thinning of the very dense lodgepoles above Hugh and Joan’s.  Plans aren’t finalized.  Contractors have been increasingly busy and the work may not be done before winter although that was the plan.  This work is funded by grant money from the GHFPD, the Watershed Collective, and the GHTM.

         Boyd reports there will be firewood available this fall and will be set up on the east side of the Ashram after Labor Day.  More info on dates to come.  The Tone property out west is way behind so not this fall.

         Dan reports that Free Chipping Days are a great deal – comes from 1A $ we voted for.  He encourages everyone to participate.  Takes 5 community members to coordinate and set it up.  Up to $500 can be reimbursed for the mitigation work.  Val has the name of someone who can do the work.

GOLD RUSH – is on per Dan.  There are 2 options – Sept. 15 or 22 at the Beer Garden.  He’ll get it finalized and let us know.

BYLAWS – Chrissy thinks we need a values statement, mission statement and vision statement – really in service of grant writing as we move forward partnering with the Watershed Collective, etc.  Will Send them out for feedback and make them available on the website. 

Draft of Potential Values Statement: (What’s most important to us?  What does our moral compass look like? Values inform your mission and vision)

We embrace our responsibility to co-create a world where each of us, our community, and our town can flourish, all the while, celebrating our unique environment and history.

Draft of Potential Mission Statement: (What is our purpose?)

The mission of the Gold Hill Town Meeting:

We work for the betterment of the town of Gold Hill by improving quality of life and quality of environment.  Through historic preservation, natural resource conservation, environmental restoration, education, human services and community engagement, we ensure our residents and natural surroundings are able to thrive.

Draft of Potential Vision Statement: (What does our future and our goals look like)  

The Gold Hill Town Meeting is working towards a future where Gold Hill is and continues to be a place where residents have a strong community, are able to flourish socially, where residents are safe and have their basic needs met and are able to live in harmony with the natural environment.

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEARING  concerning the Colorado Milling Company, LLC  (CMC) is coming up on August 29.  The rule is that once stopped for 6 months or longer, their permission to have non-conforming use status is revoked and they will have to obtain new permits. The CMC is appealing.  More information at www.boco.org/AP-23-0001 or contact the Planning and Permitting Department planner@nullbouldercounty.gov or 303-441-3930

Addendum – the appeal was denied.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AirLink, Business District, Cemetery – no reports.

Community Events – Gold Rush was covered earlier.

Fundraising and Merchandise – Dan has some new ideas and will be for sale at the Gold Rush.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that school begins Wednesday, the 14^th.  They need to hire a third person.  Enrollment is down to 10 students, but they do have strong support of BVSD.

Health and Human Services – for future consideration

Historic Zoning – Bear reports that Emma and Chris Dirolf are planning a small addition.

IMA – Pam Sherman reports that this group has been active since 2011, after the Fourmile Fire for mountain communities to help each other and share information.  Pam’s particular focus is Aging in Place.

Mountain Stewards – Marcus reports that they have been having conversations with Maya of WSC on home hardening and grant writing.  Home hardening is expensive and they’re looking into how to help fund it – one option is interest free loans.  Wildfire Partners has been working with Insurance companies, including Allstate, to agree to insure people who are certified by WFP.

Museum – Deb reports that they are open through Labor Day and have new ornaments and various things to purchase for the holidays.

Native Flora, Gardens & Weed Management – Pam reports that she is stepping down and Kaitlyn Barthell barthell3@nullgmail.com is our new person.

NeighborLink and SafeLink (our glorified phone tree to notify community members in case of an emergency and possible evacuation) is still there per Deb.

Other Town News/Emerging Issues – Gretchen noted that we presently have no funds allocated for the Community Relief Fund and she made a motion to move $1000 from our savings to the Community Relief Fund.  Whitey and Kathleen seconded it and, after some discussion, it passed.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary